Biblical Foundations of Justice PDF

BIBLICAL JUSTICE ○ ○...

BIBLICAL JUSTICE ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○ ○ The Biblical Foundations of Justice ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ This resource includes the following: ○ ○ ○ ○ Handout One: Summary on the the biblical foundations of justice (p. 2-3) ○ ○ Handout Two: The Biblical Foundation of Justice Chart (p. 4) ○ Handout Three: Two types of Covenants found in the Old Testament (p. 5) ○ ○ Scripture Activity: Covenants in Scripture (p. 6) ○ ○ Writing Activity: Promises Kept, Promises Broken (p. 7) ○ Scripture Activity: Prophets in Scripture (p. 8) ○ ○ Scripture Activity: Jesus and Discipleship in Scripture (p. 9) ○ ○ Answer Key & Bibliography (p. 10) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ How to Use This Resource: ○ ○ Action on behalf of justice and ○ This resource is designed to lay the groundwork for ○ ○ understanding the biblical foundations of justice. It is participation in the transformation of ○ meant to provide an overview in broad strokes so that a ○ ○ proper framework is understood for the ongoing struggle ○ the world fully appear to us as a ○ for justice. Grounding an understanding of our own call ○ to discipleship within an understanding of biblical justice ○ constitutive dimension of the ○ is essential for understanding God’s ongoing revelation. ○ ○ ○ Handout One: Summary preaching of the Gospel, or, in other ○ ○ This handout summarizes the core understanding of ○ words, of the Church’s mission for ○ biblical justice. It lays the groundwork and provides a ○ framework for fostering a deeper appreciation of the ○ the redemption of the human race ○ distinctiveness of biblical justice. ○ ○ ○ Handout Two: Chart and its liberation from every ○ ○ This handout presents a visual summary for tracing the ○ oppressive situation. ○ development of a biblical understanding of justice ○ through the Old Testament and New Testament. ○ -World Synod of Bishops, Justicia in Mundo, 1971, #6 ○ ○ ○ Handout Three: Covenants ○ This handout presents an overview of the two major ○ ○ types of covenants in scripture lisitng distinctive ele- Scripture Activities ○ ○ ments of each. It can be used for reference when These activities engage Scripture as a way of illustrating ○ completing the Scripture activty to determine which type the ideas and concepts presented and invite reflection on ○ ○ of covenant is evident in the passages provided. the biblical nature and distinctiveness of justice. ○ ○ ○ Writing Activity: Promises Kept, Promises Broken Answer Key & Bibliography ○ ○ This activity engages personal experience and reflection An answer key is provided for the Scripture activities ○ ○ on the nature of promises as a way into looking at the and a bibliography is provided with recommended ○ connection to the concept and content of covenants. resources for further study and reflection. ○ ○ ○ 1 / 10 by Sr. Katherine Feely, SND  BIBLICAL JUSTICE ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○ ○ The Biblical Foundations of Justice ○ ○ ○ ○ T ○ he starting point for understanding the call to be people of justice in ○ ○ the world today must find its grounding and source first in Scripture. ○ The biblical understanding of justice is distinct and unique from other ○ ○ forms of justice such as the Greek notion of general justice, the Thomistic ○ understanding of the virtue of justice, or modern-day understanding of legal ○ ○ justice. The biblical understanding of justice must be untangled from other ○ ○ connotations of justice in order to understand and appreciate its significance, ○ richness, and call as the basis of our own discipleship. ○ ○ ○ “The ○ The foundation and root of justice originate in God’s love as revealed in ○ scripture and must be understood in the context of this love. In the first book ○ ○ foundation and of the Bible, the book of Genesis, God’s word brings all things into being. ○ ○ The heavens and the earth, light and darkness, water and dry land, plants and ○ all living creatures are created by God’s life-giving word. Within the context ○ root of justice ○ of this community, God creates man and woman in God’s own image. God ○ ○ proclaims each creative act as “good.” ○ originate in ○ ○ The original unity of all creation is a paradise, a garden of Eden, until the man ○ ○ and the woman desire power and knowledge, to be like God. This desire ○ God’s love as creates the division that inaugurates the separation between God and humans ○ ○ which has been named “original sin.” Scripture scholar John Donahue ○ ○ states, “Sin is overstepping the limits of the human condition by aspiring to revealed in ○ divine power. It can take place through action (the woman) or through ○ ○ complicity (the man). Their desire to be like God sadly separates them from ○ scripture...” ○ God.”1 ○ ○ ○ Donahue goes on to observe, ○ ○ After the “fall” the narrative relates the trial and the punishment ○ (Gn 3:8-24). The expected punishment of Gn 3:3 (“you shall die”) ○ ○ does not occur. Instead, the harmony of their earlier status is ○ ○ destroyed. Desire for human autonomy leads to alienation and ○ breakdown of community with nature and between man and woman. ○ ○ It is important to note that the subordinate position of women (Gn ○ ○ 3:16), which reflects the de facto situation of women in ancient ○ society, is not something that was to be part of the original blessing ○ ○ of creation, but arises from human sinfulness. Alienation between ○ ○ the earth and humans (Gn 3:17-10) is likewise a result of sin. While ○ the “work” of cultivating and caring for the earth is intrinsic to the ○ ○ human condition prior to sin, “toil” is its consequence.2 ○ ○ T ○ he separation, however is not the end of God’s ○ ○ relationship, nor does it bring death, but God’s ○ ○ desire to be in relationship with human beings is repeatedly evident in ○ the way God hears and responds to the cry of those who are oppressed. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 1 Donahue, John, What Does the Lord Require? St. Louis: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2003. p. 15. 2 / 10 by Sr. Katherine Feely, SND  BIBLICAL JUSTICE ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○ I ○ n the Hebrew Scriptures we read over and over poor and marginalized. Love of God is possible only ○ ○ again of God’s efforts to form a people free enough through the love and just treatment of one’s neighbor. ○ ○ to love God with undivided hearts. Through a Without such a connection, God remains unknown. This ○ relationship mediated by a leader and formalized through is why the Synod of Bishops could declare that “justice ○ ○ a covenant God seeks to restore all division. Through is a constitutive element of preaching the gospel.” ○ covenants made with Abraham, Moses, and David, ○ ○ among others, God extends love and calls for justice. Turning to the New Testament, God’s mediation through ○ ○ the prophets of old gives way to the direct intervention ○ The covenant arrangement reveals the elements neces- of God through the Incarnation. In a radical and defini- ○ ○ sary for a people to be “blessed” by God. The covenant tive way, the Word of God becomes flesh, taking on ○ ○ requires a communal commitment to human form in Jesus. Jesus reveals ○ fidelity to God, a willingness to abide God’s justice in the flesh as “the ○ ○ by the formal stipulations set forth (i.e. new and everlasting covenant.” ○ Failure to care ○ the Ten Commandments), a care and Jesus proclaims the reign of God ○ concern for those on the margins - and emphasizes a new and essential ○ ○ particularly the widow, the orphan, the for the poor is a unity in the commands, “You shall ○ ○ alien, in order to live and foster right love the Lord your God with your ○ relationships with God and neighbor. whole heart, with your whole soul, failure to be ○ ○ and with all your mind...and you ○ ○ Faithfulness to God and the just treat- shall love your neighbor as your- faithful to God. ○ ment of the poor are at the heart of self.” (Mt 22:37-39). Jesus reveals ○ ○ understanding biblical justice. Failure the vision of the Kingdom of God ○ ○ to care for the poor is a failure to be through his teachings, parables, and ○ faithful to God. Again, Donahue notes, miracles, a kingdom realized only ○ ○ The core of Israel’s faith is equated with the doing through the quality of love and justice lived out in the ○ ○ of justice...The doing of justice is not the applica- context of community, through loving one’s enemies and ○ tion of religious faith, but its substance. Without through the care and treatment of the marginalized. ○ ○ it, God remains unknown.4 Jesus calls us to a discipleship of love and justice in ○ ○ In other words, to truly know God and to love God, one action. ○ must bring justice to life by attending to the needs of the ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Characteristics of Biblical Justice:3 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 1. Biblical justice does not admit of a 2. Biblical justice is fundamentally 3. Biblical justice is not “blind,” nor ○ ○ strict philosophical definiton, but in “making things right,” not simply totally impartial. It is partial to those ○ the texts themselves is often linked recognizing or defining individual most affected by evil and oppression ○ ○ with qualities such as “mercy,” rights. It is concerned with the “right - symbolized in the Old Testament by ○ “steadfast love,” and “fidelity.” The relation” of human beings to God four groups of widows, orphans, the ○ traditional contrast between and to each other, and to the earth. poor, and strangers in the land, and ○ ○ obligations in charity and obligations embodied in the New Testament by ○ in justice is foreign to the Bible. Jesus’ mission to those on the social ○ ○ and religious margins of society. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 2 Donahue, John, What Does the Lord Require? p. 15. ○ Ibid, p. 28. ○ 3 4 John R. Donahue, “Biblical Perspectives on Justice,” in The Faith that Does Justice. New York: Paulist Press, 1977. p. 76 3 / 10 by Sr. Katherine Feely, SND  BIBLICAL JUSTICE ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○ ○ Biblical Foundations of Justice ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ In the Old Testament God is revealed to us as the liberator of the ○ Justice is revealed in oppressed and the defender of the poor, demanding from people faith ○ and justice towards one’s neighbor. It is only in the observance of the ○ scripture as God’s nature ○ duties of justice that God is truly recognized as the liberator of the and action ○ oppressed.1 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Biblical faith in general, and prophetic faith especially, insist that fidelity ○ Justice is symbolized and to the covenant joins obedience to God with reverence and concern for ○ the neighbor. The biblical terms which best summarize this double ○ measured by fidelity to the ○ dimension of Israel’s faith are sedaqah, justice (also translated as ○ Covenant righteousness), and mishpat (right judgment or justice embodied in a ○ concrete act or deed).2 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ When the people turn away from the living God to serve idols and no ○ ○ longer heed the commands of the covenant, God sends prophets to Prophets rise up to call ○ recall his saving deeds and to summon them to return to the one who ○ the people to return to God betrothed them “in right and in justice, in love and in mercy” (Hos 2:21). ○ ○ and to remember the The substance of prophetic faith is proclaimed by Micah: “to do justice, ○ and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Mi 6:8).3 ○ demands of justice ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ By his action and teaching Christ united in an indivisible way the ○ relationship of people to God and the relationship of people to each ○ other. Christ lived his life in the world as a total giving of himself to God ○ Jesus is God’s love ○ for the salvation and liberation of people. In his preaching he pro- ○ incarnate and God’s justice claimed the fatherhood of God towards all people and the intervention ○ enacted in the flesh as the ○ of God’s justice on behalf of the needy and the oppressed (Lk 6: 21- ○ 23). In this way he identified himself with his “least ones,” as he “new and everlasting ○ stated: “As you did it to one of the least of these who are members of ○ covenant” ○ my family, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).4 ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ According to the Christian message our relationship to our neighbor is ○ ○ bound up with our relationship to God; our response to the love of God, Justice is the hallmark of our ○ saving us through Christ, is shown to be effective in his love and ○ discipleship. Justice is service of people. Christian love of neighbor and justice cannot be ○ ○ demanded of those who are separated. For love implies an absolute demand for justice, namely a ○ recognition of the dignity and rights of one’s neighbor. Justice attains ○ baptized into the life, death, its inner fullness only in love. Because every person is truly a visible ○ and resurrection of Jesus. ○ image of the invisible God and a sibling of Christ, the Christian finds in ○ every person God himself and God’s absolute demand for justice and ○ ○ love.5 ○ ○ ○ ○ 1 World Synod of Bishops, Justicia in Mundo, 1971, #30. ○ 2 USCCB, Economic Justice for All, 1987, #37. ○ 3 USCCB, Economic Justice for All, 1987, #37. 4 World Synod of Bishops, Justicia in Mundo, 1971, #31. 5 World Synod of Bishops, Justicia in Mundo, 1971, #34. 4 / 10 by Sr. Katherine Feely, SND  BIBLICAL JUSTICE ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○ ○ Major Types of Covenants in Scripture ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Two types of covenants are predominatnly found in Scripture. The first type, formal political treaties, ○ ○ were made between political rulers and king and were legalistic. They became the foundation for ○ ○ modern-type treaties today. The second type, people of destiny covenants, however were between ○ God and the people. Through the “people of destiny” covenants, God desired to form a people who ○ ○ were faithful to God alone, who acted justly and who were in right relationship with God and their ○ ○ neighbor. People of Destinsy covenants were one way that God mediated the call for justice in the ○ ○ Old Testament. ○ ○ ○ ○ Covenant: a formal agreement or treaty between two parties where each party commits to specific ○ obligation.1 Fidelity to the Covenant is equated with fidelity to God. A covenant sealed an ○ ○ agreement between parties. It was lasting and extended to future generations. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Covenants: ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ in scripture ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Formal Political Treaty “People of destiny” ○ ○ ○ covenants covenants ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Characteristics include: Characteristics include: ○ ○ a pre-amble, they express God’s unchangeable choice of an ○ an historical prologue, individual who will bear the destiny of the ○ ○ stated obligations, blessings, people. ○ ○ some stated symbol of the commitment. this form of covenant cannot be broken. ○ when broken, must be renewed. it contains distinctive understandings of law and ○ ○ justice ○ ○ it reveals a God who wishes people to live in a ○ community combining worship and obedience to God with care for one’s neighbor. ○ ○ ○ ○ God remains faithful even when the people ○ break the covenant. ○ ○ The purpose of the covenant is a close relation- ○ ○ ship with God where conversion and a change ○ of heart are possible. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 1 Achtemeier, Paul J. “Covenant,” Harper’s Bible Dictionary. New York: Harper & Row, 1985, p. 190. 5 / 10 by Sr. Katherine Feely, SND  BIBLICAL JUSTICE ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○ Covenants: Promises Kept, Promises Broken ○ ○ ○ ○ Directions: Using the Bible, look up the following passages and answer the questions below. ○ ○ ○ 1. What did God promise Noah? (Gen 9:9-17) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 2. What did God promise Abraham? (Gen 12:2-3; 15, 17) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 3. What did God promise David? (2 Sam 7; Ps 132; Is 55:3-5) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 4. What did God promise Israel through Moses? (Ex 19: 5-6) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 5. What famous details of the covenant do you find here? (Ex 20:1-17) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 6. What do you notice about the terms and rewards of the covenant? (Deut 15:5-11) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 7. What happens when the Israelites obey and disobey? (Deut 28:15-65) ○ Which of the consequences do you personally think is the worst? Why? ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 8. What happens if the Israelites ask forgiveness for their failings? (Deut 30:1-3) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 9. What is the greatest requirement for living in a covenant relationship with God? (Deut 6:5) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 10. What is God’s message to the Isrealites through the covenant? (Deut 30:15-20) ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 6 / 10 by Sr. Katherine Feely, SND  BIBLICAL JUSTICE ○ ○ ○ ○○ ○ ○ Writing Activity: Promises Kept, Promises Broken ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Directions: Read over the questions and take time to think about some of the more significant promises in your life. ○ ○ Write your responses in the space provided. Be prepared to discuss. ○ ○ ○ 1. Describe a time when a significant promise involving you was kept. (Either you made a promise to someone else, ○ or they made one to you.) What was the nature of the promise? What were your feelings when the promise was ○ ○ kept? ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○